South Yorkshire set for £60 million pothole repair cash boost

A project to fix potholed roads in Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley is set for a multi-million pound boost.

But the announcement, which comes as councils are being forced to make major cuts elsewhere, has met with a mixed response.

The Government has announced the funding allocation for highways maintenance for all three authorities, with an increase in the figures originally planned.

The figures for 2015/16 to 2020/21 mean that Doncaster Council will receive £26.36 million over the six year period.

Barnsley will be given £19.81 million, and Rotherham is set for £19.4 million.

Sheffield Council is not included in the figures because its highways maintenance is provided through a Highways Maintenance PFI loan.

The Government says it is the first time the authorities have been given ‘locked-in’ funding over a six year period.

Doncaster is getting the biggest settlement in South Yorkshire because it has the largest roads network due to its size.

Coun Bill Mordue, the council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “This announcement is the regular capital funds we get from Department for Transport every year, however, there has been a slight increase as we have benefited from new criteria about how money is allocated to authorities and is welcomed.

“This money is to spend on roads, cycle routes, bridges and footpaths.

“Doncaster Council is still having to make huge savings in other areas due to Government funding cuts.”

The figure Doncaster is to receive is around £4 million more than originally expected.

Highways bosses at the authority say holes are filled within five working days, or within two hours if they are dangerous.

They claimed they they did not currently have any holes waiting to be filled.#

Doncaster Council workmen have filled in more than 3,000 potholes across the borough in the last year.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Roads play a significant part in everyday life.

“Poorly maintained local roads, blighted by potholes, are a menace to all road users, particularly during the festive period as people travel to see family and friends. This huge investment is part of our long term economic plan to ensure we have a transport network fit for the 21st century.”

The increased cash will not help those living on some of the most potholed streets in the county.

Unadopted roads are not maintained by the council.

Residents in Morley Plance, Conisbrough, complained last year their potholed road is not repaired as it is not adopted by Doncaster Council.